A solar energy plant uses the power of the sun to produce electricity. The sun emits solar radiation, and certain devices such as solar panels are designed to react to this radiation and convert it into electricity. Most solar energy plants use the thermal power of the sun to heat reservoirs of fluid and power turbines. Parabolic troughs, solar dishes and solar power towers are the three most common types of solar thermal power systems used to mass-produce electricity in solar energy plants.

Many solar energy plants utilize solar radiation to heat fluids to high temperatures and create steam. In a turbine, the kinetic — or moving — energy of steam is converted to mechanical energy, which causes the turbine to rotate and produce electricity. The energy produced by a rotating turbine can be harnessed and stored in a generator. While burning fossil fuels also creates the steam necessary to rotate turbines, utilizing solar radiation is a much cleaner, more energy-efficient approach to creating electricity.

Ad

A large-scale parabolic trough solar energy plant opened in California's Mojave Desert in 1980. This facility produces a considerable amount of the area's energy, deriving it from renewable resources. Parabolic trough systems feature reflectors that focus rays from the sun onto receiver pipes. Fluid is heated as it flows through receivers and creates steam, which is fed into a turbine and generator system. Certain parabolic trough systems, such as the system in the Mojave Desert, are linked with fossil fuel combustion systems designed to compensate for cloudy days and other low solar energy periods.

Heliostats are essentially flat mirrors used to track the sun. A solar power tower can be linked into a solar energy plant system containing hundreds or even thousands of heliostats. These heliostats are arranged in a fashion that directs the sun's rays at a tower, which contains a heat-collecting fluid. Large-scale solar power tower operations are very efficient and may provide an economical source of electricity for the future.

Discuss this Article

hamje32Post 2

@Mammmood - Actually, I think there are a few other plants, like in Nevada and New Mexico. I think we need more plants too, but the transition to solar will have to be in incremental steps in my opinion.

It should involve using existing energy companies implementing solar facilities in their operations, rather than waiting for a full scale plant to be established all at once. There are several reasons that I think we should take the incremental approach.

First, it’s cheaper; the existing facilities have the necessary real estate, and it will not be hard for them to acquire permits for additional construction. Second, it’s quicker – building on to what we already have is much faster than waiting for an entire plant to be built from scratch.

MammmoodPost 1

I am surprised to read of only one solar energy plant. Are there not others in the United States besides the one in California? If there aren’t, I think we need to hustle and build more plants in a hurry. I personally believe that solar energy is the best solution to meet our energy needs.

Post your comments

Please enter the code:

Login

Register

Make changes/additions/deletions to the article below, and one of our editors will publish your suggestions if warranted.

Optional: Explanation of your recommended changes

Thank You!

One of our editors will review your suggestion and make changes if warranted.
Note that depending on the number of suggestions we receive,
this can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
Thank you for helping to improve wiseGEEK!